Metal-complex/DNA conjugates: a versatile building block for DNA nanoarrays

Instant hydrogel formation of terpyridine-based complexes triggered by DNA via non-covalent interaction

Biomolecule-based hydrogels have potential use in a wide range of applications such as controlled drug release, tissue engineering, and biofabrication. Herein, driven by specific interactions between ds-DNA (double-stranded DNA) and Zn2+ based metal-complexes, we report that the use of DNA as cross-linkers can enhance interactions between self-assembling Zn2+ complexes containing terpyridine and sugar groups in the generation of bioinspired hydrogels from solutions or suspensions. The gelation process is fast and straightforward without tedious steps and happens at room temperature. Such a hydrogelation process of different Zn2+ complexes endows the visualized and selective DNA analogue discrimination. Several experiments suggest that the strong intercalation binding of Zn2+ complexes with ds-DNA results in the unzipping of ds-DNA into ss-DNA (single-stranded DNA), which further behave as linkers to enhance the intermolecular interactions of self-assembling Zn2+ complex molecules via coordination interactions. This work demonstrates an efficient and universal strategy to prepare hydrogels based on biomolecular recognition. Moreover, the DNA responsive behaviors of Zn2+ complexes are further compared with that of solutions and cells.

Schiff base complexes that form sandwich compounds

In this article, we explore the capacity of formed Schiff base complexes to trap metal atoms or ions, using their aromatic ends. The intrinsic geometry of each complex defines the process of substitution. Two cases were studied; one involving a trans Schiff base complex and the other considering how a salen ligand, with nickel systems traps chromium. We also assessed the nature of the new bonds and the frontier molecular orbitals. Graphical abstract Two salen nickel compounds are joint by a Cr(0) atom forming an organometallic interaction.

High definition polyphosphoesters: between nucleic acids and plastics

Nucleic acids and synthetic polyphosphoester materials have been distinct fields – this review shows how these areas now comprise a continuum.

Fullerene Cluster Assisted Self-Assembly of Short DNA Strands into Semiconducting Nanowires

Programmable, hierarchical assembly of DNA nanostructures with precise organisation of functional components have been demonstrated previously with tiled assembly and DNA origami. However, building organised nanostructures with random oligonucleotide strands remains as an elusive problem. Herein, a simple and general strategy, in which nanoclusters of a fullerene derivative act as stapler motifs in bringing ordered nanoscale assembly of short oligonucleotide duplexes into micrometre-sized nanowires, is described. In this approach, the fullerene derivative, by virtue of its amphiphilic structure and unique hydrophobic-hydrophilic balance, pre-assembles to form 3-5 nm sized clusters in a mixture of DMSO-phosphate buffer, which further assists the assembly of DNA strands. The optimum cluster size, availability of DNA anchoring motifs and the nature of the DNA strands controls the structure of these nanomaterials. Furthermore, horizontal conductivity measurements through conductive AFM confirmed the charge transport properties of these nanowires. The current strategy could be employed to organise random DNA duplexes and tiles into functional nanostructures, and hence, open up new avenues in DNA nanotechnology.

Palladium-Mediated Labeling of Nucleic Acids

New applications of Pd-catalyzed coupling reactions (Suzuki-Miyaura, Sonogashira, and Stille-Migita coupling) for post-conjugation of nucleic acids have been developed recently. Breakthroughs in this area might now pave the way for the development of sophisticated DNA probes, which might be of great interest in chemical biology, nanotechnology, and bioanalysis, as well as in diagnostic domains.

Mesityl phenanthroline-modified 2'-deoxyuridine for heteroleptic complexes in metal ion-mediated assembly of DNA

The synthesis of a new DNA building block that bears the metal ion ligand 2,9-bis-mesityl-3-ethynyl-phenanthroline attached to the 5-position of 2'-deoxyuridine is presented. In the presence of Zn(2+), Cu(2+), Fe(2+) and Ni(2+) the complex formation of an accordingly modified DNA double strand with a second DNA duplex bearing the 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine ligand was studied by optical spectroscopy. The selective formation of heteroleptic assemblies between the two different DNA pieces was evidenced by denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Acceleration of Long-Range Photoinduced Electron Transfer through DNA by Hydroxyquinolines as Artificial Base Pairs

The C-nucleoside based on the hydroxyquinoline ligand (Hq) is complementary to itself and forms stable Hq-Hq pairs in double-stranded DNA. These artificial Hq-Hq pairs may serve as artificial electron carriers for long-range photoinduced electron transfer in DNA, as elucidated by a combination of gel electrophoretic analysis of irradiated samples and time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy. For this study, the Hq-Hq pair was combined with a DNA-based donor-acceptor system consisting of 6-N,N-dimethylaminopyrene conjugated to 2'-deoxyuridine as photoinducible electron donor, and methyl viologen attached to the 2'-position of uridine as electron acceptor. The Hq radical anion was identified in the time-resolved measurements and strand cleavage products support its role as an intermediate charge carrier. Hence, the Hq-Hq pair significantly enhances the electron hopping capability of DNA compared to natural DNA bases over long distances while keeping the self-assembly properties as the most attractive feature of DNA as a supramolecular architecture.

Engineering the pH-responsive catalytic behavior of AuNPs by DNA

Noble metal nanoparticles have attracted much interest in the heterogeneous catalysis. Particularly, efficient manipulation of the responsive catalytic properties of the metal nanoparticles is an interesting topic. In this work, a simple and efficient strategy is developed to regulate the pH-responsive catalytic activities of glucose oxidase (GOx)-mimicking gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Four DNA strands (regulating strands) that differ slightly in sequences are used to interact non-covalently with citrate-capped AuNPs, resulting in markedly distinct pH-dependent catalytic behavior of AuNPs. This is ascribed to the characteristic pH-induced conformational change of the DNA strands that leads to the different adsorption capability to the NPs surface, as demonstrated by pH-CD profiles of the respective DNA molecules. The pH-dependent catalysis of AuNPs is also encoded with structural information of the double-stranded DNA (including regulating strands and their complementary strands) that has conformation resistant or responsive to pH change. As a result, the catalysis can be programmed into an AND gate, a XNOR gate or a NOT gate, using pH and complementary strand as the inputs, the nanoparticle activity as the output and the regulating strands as the programs. This work can be expanded by engineering the catalytic behavior of noble metal nanoparticles to respond smartly to a variety of environmental stimuli, such as metal ions or light wavelengths. These results may provide insight into understanding ligand-regulated nanometallic catalysis.

Functional soft materials from metallopolymers and metallosupramolecular polymers

Synthetic polymers containing metal centres are emerging as an interesting and broad class of easily processable materials with properties and functions that complement those of state-of-the-art organic macromolecular materials. A diverse range of different metal centres can be harnessed to tune macromolecular properties, from transition- and main-group metals to lanthanides. Moreover, the linkages that bind the metal centres can vary almost continuously from strong, essentially covalent bonds that lead to irreversible or 'static' binding of the metal to weak and labile, non-covalent coordination interactions that allow for reversible, 'dynamic' or 'metallosupramolecular', binding. Here we review recent advances and challenges in the field and illustrate developments towards applications as emissive and photovoltaic materials; as optical limiters; in nanoelectronics, information storage, nanopatterning and sensing; as macromolecular catalysts and artificial enzymes; and as stimuli-responsive materials. We focus on materials in which the metal centres provide function; although they can also play a structural role, systems where this is solely their purpose have not been discussed.